Circuit breaker mechanism



Oct 2 4, 1944 -J. M. cUMMlNG CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM Filed May 30, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTOR /mes/W. 60mm/hy.

WITNESSES:

4 z @MZ Oct. 24, 1944. J. M. cuMMlNG 2,361,178

CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM Filed May 30, 1942 3 Sheets-Shes?l 5 r #777 INVENTOR /75 famMCz/mm/hy? /73 I l BY (Zw /7y E A AT'TQR'NE Patented Oct. 24, 1944 asti-,17s

CIRCUIT BREAKER MEcHANisM James M. Cumming, Turtle Creek, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 30, 1942, Serial No. 445,153

18 Claims. (Cl. 20G-81.5)

The invention relates to circuit breakers, which may be of the automatic reclosing type, having power actuated operating mechanism operable to effect normal closing and/or quick automatic reclosing operation of the breaker, the mechanism t..

including means for manually closing the breaker. yIn order to obtain a quick reclosing of circuit breakers where the maximum allowable time limit is of the order of 20 cycles or less from the initiation of the fault, it is necessary to initiate 1Q the reclosing operation before the breaker kreaches full open position, and it is important that the mechanism should have as few moving parts as possible. Another requirement is that the breaker must be capable of being tripped open at high speed even though closing power is being delivered to the mechanism, i. e., the breaker must be power trip-free, Quick reclosing operating mechanisms have been made which are power trip-free and require only a single mechanism lever, but they have been handicapped by their inability to be mechanically trip-free of the manual closing means without the use of additional levers or an additional trip device. All mechanisms for operating circuit breakers must have provision for hand closing and when hand closed against a faulted line must be mechanically trip-free in order to protect the operator.

An lobject of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker with an improved operating mechanism which satisfactorily fullls all of the requirements mentioned above yet which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and has Very few moving parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker with an'improved and simple operating mechanism that'is power trip-free on power operation and mechanically trip-free during hand closing operations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker with an improved operating mechanism having power actuated operating mechanism operable tofeifect normal closing or quick automatic reclosing of the breaker and having a normally stationary manual closing means, the breaker being power trip-free on power operation and mechanically trip-free of the manual closing means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker with an improved operating mechanism utilizing only a single moving operating lever on power closing or reclosing operations, the operating lever being operatively related in a non-mechanically trip-free manner to the breaker and the power closing means and having a mechanically trip-free connection with the manual closing lever.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker with an operating mechanism having a non-trip-free operative connection between the breaker and the power closing means and a trip-free connection between the breaker and the manual closing lever, and a single latching means and trip device for releasing the breaker to cause opening thereof and tripping the breaker free of the manual closing lever.

Another object of `the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker with. an operating mechanism comprising a fluid motor operatively related in a non-mechanically trip-free manner to the breaker for closing and quickly reclosing the breakena manual closing lever having a tripfree connection to the breaker, and a single trip device for releasing the breaker to cause opening thereofl notwithstanding the supply of fluid pressure to the motor and irrespective of the position of the closing lever.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker with anv operating mechanism as described in the preceding paragraphs, wherein the single trip device operates to tripy the breaker free of the manual closing lever, and a dump valve associated with the fluid motor is operated simultaneously with the trip device to permit high speed opening of the breaker unopposed by iiuid pressure.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a circuit breaker with an improved operating mechanism comprising a compressedgas actuated closing motor operable to quickly reclose the breaker. and a manual closing lever which remains stationary during power'and automatic operation of the breaker, the breaker being power trip-free on power operation and mechanically trip-free of the manual closing lever.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to structure and operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of one preferred embodiment of' the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in sectionA of a circuit breaker and operating mechanism embodying the features of the invention, the parts being shown by full lines in the closed circuit position, and the circuit breaker being shown schematically;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in section, of the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the operating mechanisrn taken substantially at right angles to the section of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View, partly in section, of the operating mechanism showing the manual operating lever in the raised position ready to close the breaker; and

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the control circuit for controlling the operation of the circuit breaker.

Referring to the drawings, the circuit breaker shown schematically at 1 in Figure l may be of any conventional construction either of the oil break or air break type. As schematically shown, the circuit breaker includes stationary contact means 9 and cooperating movable contact means II for controlling a main circuit represented diagrammatically by the line I3. Although illustrated as a single pole circuit breaker, it Will be understood that the circuit breaker may be a multipole circuit breaker having a set of contact means 9--II for each pole or unit thereof with the movable contact means mechanically connected for simultaneous operation in the usual manner. The circuit breaker is biased to open circuit position by means of an accelerating spring shown schematically at I5, and the breaker is mechanically connected to the operating mechanism indicated generally at I1 by a suitable connecting means. The connecting means is represented schematically as comprising a direction changing lever I9 pivoted at ZI, one end of the lever being connected to the breaker lift rod 23 of insulating material. The other end of the lever I9 is pivotally connected to the breaker operating rod 25 which is in turn mechanically connected to the operating mechanism I1.

The operating mechanism I1 comprises a main casting 21 which is formed to provide an operating cylinder 29 closed at the upper end by an integral part of the casting. A closure member 3| is secured to the lower end of the cylinder 29 to close this end of the cylinder, and this closure member has a relatively large port 33 therein which is open to atmosphere. An operating piston 35 is recprocally movable in the cylinder 29 and has a tubular rod portion 31 formed integral therewith which slidably extends in a uid tight manner through an opening provided therefor in the upper end of the cylinder` The operating piston 35 is operatively related at all times to the circuit breaker operating rod 25, and is adapted to be operated by compressed air to effect normal closing or quick automatic reclosing operation of the circuit breaker.

A manually operable closing lever 39 is pivotally mounted at its left-hand end on the upper portion of the casting 21. The manual closing lever is made up of a pair of spaced levers 4I (Fig. 2) rigidly joined at their right-hand ends to an operating handle 43. The other ends of the levers 4I are pivotally mounted by short pivot pins 45 (Fig. 2) on a pair of spaced bifurcated projections 41 formed integral with the casting 21 and projecting upwardly therefrom.

An operating or latching lever 49 is pivotally mounted at one end on a pivot shaft 5I carried by the manual closing lever 39 adjacent the handle 43. The lever 49 is disposed within the space between the levers 4I that make up the manual closing lever 39, and this lever 49 has spaced apart parallel sides (Fig. 2) which are rigidly joined together by cross members 53.

The manual closing lever is held locked down in the closed position shown in Fig. l at all times,

except when the breaker is being manually closed, by means of a manually operable latch 55 that is pivoted on a pivot pin 51 supported by a portion of the casting 21. The latch 55 engages a roller 59 carried on the pivot pin 5I, and the latch is biased to latching position by a compression spring 5I. A handle 52 is provided on the latch 55 for moving the latch to released position to release the manual closing lever when it is desired to close the circuit breaker by hand.

The circuit breaker operating rod 25 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 63 to the operating lever 49 intermediate the ends of the lever, the pivot pin 63 extending transversely through the sides of the lever 49 and engaging openings 'in a bifurcated connecting element 65 on the lower end of the rod 25 which is disposed between the sides of the lever 49. A short connecting link B1 connects the operating lever 49 to tubular piston rod 31, the upper end of the` link being pivotally connected to the pivot pin 63 and the lower end being pivotally connected to the piston rod 31 by a pivot pin 69. The circuit breaker is thus operatively connected in a non-trip-free manner to 'the operating piston 35.

A short shaft 1I is carried by the free end of the operating lever 49 between the sides thereof, and a latch roller 13 is rotatably mounted on the short shaft. In the closed circuit position of the breaker and mechanism, the free end of the operating lever 49 lies between the spaced pivot supports 41, and the axis of the short shaft 1I and latch roller 49 is held in alignment with the fixed pivot axis 45 of the manual closing lever 39, as shown in Fig. l.

The breaker operating lever 49 is adapted to be held in the closed position shown by the full lines in Fig. l to hold the circuit breaker closed, by means of a high speed latching mechanism comprising a main latch 15 which is pivoted on the casting 21 by means of a pivot pin 11. The main latch 15 is biased to latching position by a spring 19, and the latch is adapted to engage and restrain the latch roller 13 carried by the free end of the breaker operating lever 49. The coniiguration of the face of the main latch 15 is such that this latch alone will not hold the breaker operating lever 49 in closed position against the opening bias of the breaker unless the main latch is itself held in latching position. An auxiliary latch 8| is provided for normally engaging and holding the main latch 15 in latching position. The auxiliary latch II is pivoted by a pivot pin 83 on the casting 21 and has a latch projection B5 which is adapted to engage under a cooperating latch projection of the main latch 15. The auxiliary latch 9| is biased to latching position by a compression spring 81 seated in a recess in the casting 21; and the latch is provided with a projection 89 Which extends directly over the upper end of the trip plunger 9I of an electromagnetic trip device 93. The trip device 93 comprises in addition to the trip plunger 9|, an E-shaped core 95 of magnetic material, an energizing Winding 91 wound on the center leg of the core, and a movable armature 99 cooperating with the core. The trip plunger 9| is secured to the center of the armature 99 and slidably extends upwardly through a guide opening in the center portion of the core and through an opening in the horizontal portion of the casting 21.

When the trip device 93 is energized, the trip plunger 9| is moved upwardly by the armature 99 and rotates the auxiliary latch 8| clockwise to disengage the main latch '|5, whereupon the acceleration spring l of the circuit breaker moves the circuit breaker to open circuit position. The opening movement of the circuit breaker rotates the operating lever 49 in a clockwise direction to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. l, this position corresponding to the open position of the circuit breaker. During the initial opening movement of the operating lever 49, the latch roller` 13 forces the main latch I5 in a clockwise direction as it clears the latch. In order to prevent the auxiliary latch 8| from being returned to latching position until the breaker operating lever 49 is returned to closed position, there is provided a U-shaped holding lever |Il|, the legs of which are pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 83 on opposite sides of the auxiliary latch 8|. biased in a clockwise direction by a spring |93 which is stronger than the latch spring 8l. A projection |05 on the free end of the holding lever is disposed directly beneath the free end of the operating lever 49 so that the holding lever i is held down in inoperative position when. the operating lever 49 is in closed position. However, when the operating lever is released, the holding lever is rotated in a clockwise direction and a projection |01 thereof engages and holds the auxiliary latch 8| in unlatched position until the breaker operating lever 49 is returned to closed position.

The operating piston 35 is adapted to be moved downwardly in the cylinder 29, to close or automatically reclose the circuit breaker, by cornpressed air from an auxiliary air reservoir or tank (Fig. 5), the compressed air being admitted to the upper end of the operating cylinder through an inlet passage H3 (Fig. 3) controlled by an inlet valve ||5 Compressed air is supplied to the auxiliary tank from'a main tank (not shown), in which air is stored and maintained at a predetermined pressure by a suitable compressor unit, not shown.

The inlet valve ||5 is carried on a valve stem and this valve is biased closed by a compression spring |9 disposed in the valve housing and encircling the lower portion of the valve stem. A second valve element |2| carried by the valve .stem |1 cooperates with an atmosphere exhaust passage and serves to permit air to be exhausted from the operating cylinder 29 when the inlet valve |45 is closed. The inlet valve ||5 is adapted to be operated to open position by means of an electromagnet |23 comprising a U-shaped stationary core |25, an energizing winding |2'l and a T-shaped armature |28. The lower end of the armature engages the top of the valve stem and when the electromagnet is energized the armature is moved downwardly to attracted position to open the inlet valve ||5 and close the exhaust valve |2|. Compressed air is thereupon admitted to the upper end of the operating cylinder 29 and drives the piston 35 downwardly to effect closing of the circuit breaker.

The mechanism is provided with means for automatically controlling the rate of now of cornpressed air to the operating cylinder. rlhis means is fully disclosed in the copending application of H. L. Peek and J. M. Cumming, Serial No. 445,881, filed June 5, 1942, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. v

This means, by itself, forms no part of the present invention, and hence will only be very brielly The holding lever is (i (fr described herein as comprising a valve |29 (Fig. 3) which is interposed in the inlet passage ||3. The valve is biased by a spring |30 to an open position shown in which a groove |3| on the valve permits air to flow through the passage ||3 at a high rate into the operating cylinder 29. The valve remains in open position during the major portion of the opening stroke oi the piston and near the end of the opening stroke it is moved to a closed position by the piston and is retained in closed position by a spring pressed ball, not shown. A small air passage (not shown) in the casting 2l bypasses the valve |29 to permit compressed air to flow into the operating cylinder at a throttled rate during the rst part of the breaker closing operation started from the full open position of the breaker. As the breaker approaches closed position, a projection |32 carried by the breaker operating lever 49 engages and moves the valve |29 to the open position, the opening movement being completed by the valve biasing spring |30. When the valve |29 is actuated to open position, compressed air is admitted to the cylinder at a faster rate to provide additional driving power to overcome the relatively heavy contact load of the breaker which is picked up during the final portion of the closing operation. The construction of the valve is such that it remains open during quick reclosing operations to provide the additional larger quantity of compressed air necessary to quickly reverse the movement of the circuit breaker and quickly reclose the breaker.

It was previously pointed out that the circuit breaker is operatively connected to the operating piston at all times, and hence is not mechanically trip-free of the piston. In order to make the circuit breaker power trip-free, that is, capable of being tripped open at high speed on power closing or reclosing against a faulted line even though compressed air is being delivered to the operating cylinder, the operating cylinder is provided with an air pressure exhaust means for causing quick collapse of air pressure in the cylinder 29 whenever the trip device 93 is operated. This air pressure exhaust means comprises a large exhaust port |33 formed in the side wall ol the operating cylinder and communicating with an atmosphere exhaust passage |35 controlled by an exhaust or dump valve |37. The exhaust port |33 and exhaust passage |35 are of larger size than the inlet passage |3, so that when the dump valve is opened. it will cause quick collapse of air pressure in the cylinder 29, thereby permitting quick reversal of movement of the operating piston and high speed opening of the circuit breaker unretarded by air pressure above the operating piston. The dump valve |31 is in the form of a cup-shaped piston type valve and is biased to closed position by a helical compression springy |39 disposed in the valve housing and engaging the underside of the dump valve. The valve element I3? is slidably movable in a. cylinderformed in the valve housing, and opening of the dump valve is initiated by means of an electromagnet Ml. The electromagnet comprises a U-shaped stationary core V43. an energizing winding and an armature |47. A stem |49 connected to the armature extends loosely through an opening in the top of the dump valve |31 and has an enlarged head thereon which engages the top of the valve. The valve |37 is slidable on the stem |49 and is adapted to be partly opened upon energization of the electromagnet MI. When the valve has been partly opened by the operation of the electromagnet |4|, any compressed air y,biasing `spring |39. adapted to be energized simultaneously with the y relay O to the supply conductor |53.

present in the operating cylinder 29flows out to atmosphere over the top of the valve |31 and the I air*` pressure forces the dump valve quickly to the iull open position compressing the relatively light The electromagnet |45 is trip device 83 and for this purpose the winding |45 of the electromagnet |4| is connected in .parallel with the winding of the trip device 93, as

shown in Fig. 5.

Referring now to Fig. which diagrammatiy cally shows the circuits for electrically controlling the circuitbreaker, |5| and |53 designate a pair of supply conductors connected to a. source of electric energy (not shown). The winding |21 of the electromagnet |23 which controls the admission oi compressed air to the operating cylinder for automatically reclosing the circuit breaker is connected in an energizing circuit |55 extending from the supply conductor |5| through the wind- .ductor` |6l, back contacts |53 of the release relay R, energizing winding o the operating relay Oi, conductor |135 and through a manual control switch |51 for controlling the normal power closing operation of the circuit breaker, to the opposite supply conductor I5 The energizing winding of the release relay R is connected in an energizing circuit which extends from the supply conductor |53, through conductor |59, through an auxiliary switch |1| that is closed when the circuit breaker reaches closed position, through the energizing winding of the release relay R, through irontcontacts |13 of the operating relay O and conductor |15 to the supply conductor l5 A locking circuit is also provided for maintaining the release relay R energized after closing of the auxiliary switch |1| until the manual closing control switch |61 has been opened. The latter locking circuit extends from the conductor |53, through conductor |S|, front contacts |19 of release relay R, through the energizing winding of the release relay, conductors |11 andv |55 and through the manual closing control switch |51 to the supply conductor |5|.

The winding 91 of the trip device 93 and the winding |45 of the dump valve electromagnet |4| are connected in parallel in an energizing circuit which extends from the supply conductor |53, through conductor |59, through an auxiliary switch |8| that is closed when the circuit breaker is closed, through the windings 91 and |45 in parallel, through contacts |83 of a yfault responsive overload protective relay |85, and through conductor |81 to supply conductor |5|. The fault responsive relay is arranged to be operated to close its contacts |83 upon the occurrence of a predetermined overload or short circuit in the main circuit I3 controlled by the breaker. For this purpose, the energizing winding of the protective relay |95 is arranged to be yenergized by a current transformer |89 associated with the main circuit conductor |3.

The circuit breaker may also be tripped open by means of g manually operable trip control switch |9| which is connected in shunt to the contacts |33 of the protective relay.

The circuit breaker 1 is adapted to be automatically reclosed immediately following interruption of the circuit by the circuit breaker,

through the agency of a reclosing relay |93. Automatic reclosing rmovement of the circuit breaker is preferably initiated immediately after the circuit breaker has interrupted the circuit and before the circuit breaker reaches the full open position. Reclosing relay |93 has its contacts |95 connected in shunt relation to the contacts of the manual control closing switch |61. A manually operable switch |91 is provided in series with the contacts |95 for the purpose of preventing quick automatic reclosing operation of the circuit breaker if automatic reclosing is not desired. The energizing winding of the reclosing relay |93 is connected in an energizing circuit |99 which extends from the supply conductor |53, through the winding of the reclosing relay |93, through contacts 20| of the protective relay and through an adjustable auxiliary switch 203 which is adjusted to close during the initial opening movement of the circuit breaker, and through conductor |81 to the supply conductor |5|.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows: Assuming the circuit breaker to be in closed position, as shown in Fig. l, when a predetermined overload -or short circuit occurs in the main circuit I3 controlled by the breaker, the protective relay |85 is immediately energized and closes its contacts |83 to effect energization of the trip device 93. When the trip device is energized, it moves the trip plunger 9| upwardly to cause the auxiliary latch '8| to release the main latch 15, thereby releasing the breaker operating lever 49. The circuit breaker is immediately moved in opening direction by its biasing spring l5. The main circuit is interrupted during the rst part of the opening movement of the breaker by the time the circuit breaker has opened only a part of its full open distance.

Assuming the manual switch |91 to be closed, quick automatic reclosing operation of the circuit breaker will be caused to take place as soon as the circuit breaker is opened through a predetermined distance less than full open distance. Quick automatic reclosing operation is initiated by the reclosing relay |93 in response to closing of its energizing circuit by the contacts of the auxiliary switch 203. The contacts 20| of the protective relay are closed simultaneously with the contacts |83 upon operation of the protective relay, thus preparing the energizing circuit for the reclosing relay |93. When the relay |93 is energized, it closes its contacts |95, thereby effecting energization of the operating relay O. The operating relay O, in turn, completes an energizing circuit for the inlet valve controlling electromagnet |23, thereby causing opening of the main inlet valve ||5. Compressed air is thereupon admitted to the upper end of the operating cylinder 29 quickly moving the piston 35 downwardly to reclose the circuit breaker. These operations occur substantially instantaneously so that reclosing movement of the operating piston 35 is initiated very shortly after the circuit has been interrupted and before the breaker reaches the full open position. The operating relay O remains energized until the circuit breaker reaches the closed position at which time the release relay R becomes energized due to closing of the contacts of the auxiliary switch |1|. The release relay thereupon opens the energizing circuit of the operating relay at the contacts 53 and becomes itself deenergized upon opening of the contacts |13 of the operating relay.

If the condition which caused the overload or short circuit has been removed by the time the circuit breaker` completes the circuit upon quick automatic reclosing operation, the circuit breaker remains closed and the control circuits assume their normal condition shown in Fig. 5. However, if the fault condition which causes the overload or short circuit is still present by the time the circuit breaker reaches closed position, the protective relay |85 is again energized the instant the main circuit is completed again causing energization of the trip device 8|, and at the same time causing the energization of the dump valve electromagnet |4| which is in parallel circuit with the trip device. Consequently, the latching means '|5 will again be released and at the same time the electromagnet I4| will initiate opening of the dump valve |31, thereby causing air pressure to be quickly exhausted to atmosphere even though the inlet valve ||5 may still be open at this time. Thus the circuit breaker is caused to quickly reverse its movement and start opening even though the inlet valve may be open at this time. The opening movement of the circuit breaker is substantially unretarded due to the quick collapse of air pressure in the operating cylinder 29. A lockout device 205 of any conventional construction may be provided in the circuit of the reclosing relay |93 to prevent more than one quick automatic reclosing operation of the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker proceeds to the full open position and remains open after one unsuccessful attempt at quick reclosure.

Normal closing operation of the circuit breaker from the full open position is accomplished by closing the manual control switch |61. of this switch completes an energizing circuit for the operating relay O which, in turn, completes the energizing circuit for the inlet valve controlling electromagnet |23, thereby causing compressed air to be admitted to the operating cylinder toclose the circuit breaker. The operating relay O remains energized until the circuit breaker reaches closed position, whereupon the release relay R. becomes energized due to closing of the contacts of the auxiliary switch HI'. release relay when thus energized opens the energizing circuit of the operating relay O at the contacts |63, thereby causing deenergization of the operating relay and the inlet valve electromagnet |23. Opening of the front contacts |13 of the operating relay deenergizes the release relay R and the system is restored to normal. If the circuit breaker should be closed against an overload or short circuit, the protective relay |85 will be operated to trip the breaker in the previously described manner, also causing opening of the dump valve |31.

The circuit breaker may be manually tripped open by closing the manual trip control switch |9| which effects energization of the trip device 93, thereby tripping the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker may also be manually tripped at the breaker station by means of a manual trip control lever 201 (Fig. l) which when operated moves the trip plunger 9| upwardly to releaser the circuit breaker latching means.

As previously pointed out, the manually operable closing lever 39 remains locked down in the closed position, as shown in Fig. 1, by the manually operable latch 55 at all times except during manual closing of the circuit breaker. The pivot 5| of the breaker' operating lever 49 is thus always held in a fixed position by the latch 55, except when the breaker is being manually closed. Consequently, the mechanism utilizes only a Closing The .i

single operating lever during automatic or electrical operation of the circuit breaker.

Assuming the circuit breaker to be in the open position with the breaker operating lever in the open position indicated by the dot-dash line in Fig. 1, if it is desired to manually close the crcuit breaker, the, operator moves the manually operable latch 55 to released position by the operating handle 62, thereby releasing the manual closing lever 39. The operator then moves the manual closing lever 39 upwardly in a counterclockwise direction about its fixed pivot laxis 45 to the position shown in Fig. 4. This upward movement of the manual closing lever causes the breaker operating lever 49 tobe rotated in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 63 as a center, thereby causing the free end of the breaker lever 49 to be moved down to latching position where it is reengaged by the main latch 'l5 and held in latched position by the latching mechanism. The manual closing lever 39 is then moved downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1 until it becomes relatched by the latch 55. This downward movement of the closing lever from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 1 moves the circuit breaker to closed position. It will be noted that the circuit breaker is mechanically trip free of the manual closing lever 39, since if the circuit breaker should be manually closed against an overload or short circuit, the trip device 93 will be operated as soon as the circuit is completed, thereby effecting release of the main latch 15 and permitting the circuit breaker to be quickly moved to open position by its spring |5 irrespective of the position of the manual closing lever 39 even though the operator holds the closing lever 39 in closed position.

f The invention provides a simple and inexpensive circuit breaker operating mechanism embodying a power actuated closing means or iiuid motor operablel to effect quick automatic reclosing of the circuit breaker. The mechanismutilizesr a .minimum number of moving parts during automatic and power operation and the breaker is operatively related at all times to the closing means thereby permitting high speed fractional stroke automatic reclosing. The breaker, however, is power trip-free, i. e., it is capable of opening notwithstanding the supply of closing compressed air to the closing motor. The mechanism` is provided with a manual closing lever which is mechanically trip-free of the breaker and remains stationary at all times except when the breaker is being manually closed. A single trip devicev releases the breaker` to permit opening thereof and trips the breaker free of the manual closing lever.

While the inventionr has been disclosed in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, it is to be understood that various changes in the structural details and arrangement of parts thereof may be made without departing from the essential features of the invention. It is desired, therefore, that the language of the appended claims be given the broadest reasonable interpretation permissible in the light of the prior art.

I claim as my invention: f

1. In combination, a circuit breakerv biased tov open circuit position, power operated closing means for closing the circuit breaker, latching means for holding said breaker in closed position, a trip device operable to` effect release of said latching means and thereby cause opening of said breaker, said circuit breaker remaining operatively related to and under the immediate control of said power operated closing means at all times, and manually operable means for closing said breaker, said latching means when released causing opening of said breaker irrespective of the position of said manually operable closing means.

2. In combination, a circuit breaker biased to open circuit position, power operated closing means operatively connected to the breaker for closing said breaker, holding means for releasably holding said breaker in closed circuit position, a trip device operable to release said holding means to cause opening of the breaker, said circuit breaker remaining operatively connected to said power operated closing means when released by said holding means, a manually operable lever for closing said breaker, said holding means when released tripping said breaker4 free of said manually operable lever,

3. In combination, a circuit breaker biased to open circuit position, power operated closing mea-ns operatively related to said circuit breaker for closing the breaker, latching means for releasably holding said circuit breaker in closed circuit position, a trip device operable to effect release of said latching means to thereby cause opening of the breaker, means operated simultaneously with said trip device for eiecting deenergization of said power operated closing means, and a manually operable closing lever for closing said breaker, said latching means when released permitting opening of said circuit breaker irrespective of the position of said manually operable closing lever.

4. In combination, a circuit breaker, power operated mechanism operable to close the breaker, a manually operable closing lever for manually closing the breaker, said lever having a fixed pivot, releasable locking means for holding said closing lever in closed position, a breaker lever pivoted to said closing lever adjacent the free end of the closing lever, said breaker lever being non-releasably connected to said breaker and operatively related in a non-trip-free manner to said power operated mechanism, automatic latching means engageable with said breaker lever for releasably holding said circuit breaker in closed circuit position, and a trip device operable to effect release of said latching means and thereby cause opening of said breaker.

5. In combination, a circuit breaker, a power operated device operable to close the breaker, a manually operable closing lever for manually closing the breaker, said lever being mounted on a xed pivot, releasable locking means for holding said lever in a closed position, a breaker lever pivoted to said closing lever, said breaker lever being non-releasably connected to said breaker and operatively related in a non-tripfree manner to said power operated device, automatic latching means engageable with said breaker lever for releasably holding said circuit breaker in closed circuit position, a trip device operable to effect release of said latching means and breaker lever to trip the breaker, and means operated simultaneously with said trip device for deenergizing said power operated device.

6. Operating mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising a breaker lever having a non-tripiree connection to the breaker, a power operated device operatively related in a non-mechanically-trip-free manner to said lever and operable to eiect closing operat'on of the breaker, latching means engageable with said breaker lever for releasably holding said breaker in closed circuit position, a trip device operable toA release said latching means to thereby trip the breaker, Imeans operated simultaneously with said trip device for eiecting deenergization of sa'd power operated device, a manually operable closing 1ever for closing the breaker, said latching means when released permitting opening of said breaker and breaker lever irrespective of the position of said closing lever,

T. Operating mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising power operated closing means for closing the breaker having a non-trip-free operative relation to the breaker, latching means for releasably holding the breaker in closed position, a trip device operable to effect release of said latching means to thereby tripthe breaker, means operated simultaneously with said trip device for effecting deenergization of said power operated closing means, a manually operable closing lever for closing the breaker, and trip-free means operatively relating said closing lever to the breaker, said latching means when released tripping the breaker free of said closing lever.

8. Operating mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising a power operated device for closing the breaker, a non-mechanically-trip-free connecting means between the breaker and said power operated device, latching means for releasably holding the breaker in closed position, a trip device operable to effect release of said latching means to thereby trip the breaker, means operated simultaneously with said trip device upon operation thereof for effecting deenergization of said power operated device, a manually operable closing lever for closing the breaker, and a mechanically-trip-free connection between the breaker and said closing lever, said latching means when released mechanically tripping the breaker free of the manually operable closing lever.

9. Operating mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising power operated closing means operatively related to the breaker for closing the breaker, tripping means having only a single trip coil operable to trip the breaker, said breaker remaining operatively related to and under the immediate control of the power operated closing means at all times, and manually operable means for closing the breaker, said trip coil when operated tripping the breaker free oi said manually operable means.

10. In combination, a circuit breaker, power operated closing means for closing the circuit breaker, tripping means comprising a single trip coil operable to cause opening of the circuit breaker, said circuit breaker remaining operatively related to and under the immediate control of said power operated closing means during the opening operation of the breaker, and manually operable means for closing said circuit breaker, tripping means being operable to trip said breaker free of said manually operable closing means.

1.1... In combination, a circuit breaker, power operated closing means for closing said circuit breaker, means for energizing said power operated closing means, a single tripping device operable to cause opening of said circuit breaker, said circuit -breaker remaining operatively related to and under the control of said power operated closing means at all times, means operated simultaneously with said tripping device for deenergizing said power operated closing means, and a manually operable closing member for closing said circuit breaker, said tripping device when operated causing opening of said breaker irrespective of the position of said manually operable closing member. l i

l2. In combination, a circuit breaker, a fluid motor arranged to be connected to a source of fluid pressure for closing the breaker, means 0peratively relating the motor to thebreaker, a venting valve for exhausting fluid from said motor, tripping means having a single trip coil operable to trip the breaker, means operated simultaneously with said tripping means for opening said 'venting valve to allow high speed opening of the breaker, said breaker remaining operatively related to said iiuid motor and under the control thereof at all times, and a manually operable closing lever for closing said breaker, said trip coil when operated tripping said breaker free of said closing lever.

13. In combination, a circuit breaker, a fluid motor arranged to be connected to a source of iluid pressure for closing the breaker, means operatively relating the motor to the breaker, latching means for releasably holding the breaker in closed position, a trip device operable to release said latching means to thereby trip the breaker, means operated simultaneously with said trip device for exhausting fluid from said motor to permit high speed opening of the breaker, and

manuallyoperable means for closing the breaker,

said latching means when released tripping said breaker free of said manually operable means.

14. In combination, a circuit breakerbiased to open position, a uid motor for closing the breaker, a non-trip-free connection between said motor and the breaker, means for supplying fluid pressure to said motor, latching means for releasably holding said breaker in closed position, a dump valve for exhausting fluid from said motor to permit high speed opening of the breaker notwithstanding the supply of uid pressure to said motor, a trip device operable to release said latching means, said dump valve being opened simultaneously with the operation of said trip device, and a manually operable closing lever for manually closing the breaker, said latching means when released causing opening of the breaker irrespective of the position of said manually operable closing lever.

15. A compressed gas operating mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder operable to close the breaker, a non-trip-free operative connection between said piston and the breaker, means for supplying compressed gas to said cylinder to close the breaker, latching means for releasably holding the breaker in closed position, a dump valve for exhausting gas from said cylinder on the working side of the piston to permit high speed opening of the breaker notwithstanding the supply of compressed gas to said cylinder, a trip device operable to release said latching means to trip the breaker, means for simultaneously causing opening of said dump valve, a manually operable closing lever for closing the breaker having a mechanically tripfree connection to the breaker, said latching means when released effecting release of said trip-free connection to trip the breaker free of said closing lever. f

16. An operating mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising a manually operable closing lever pivoted to a xed support, a manually operable latch for normally holding said lever in closed position, a cylinder and a piston therein operable to close the breaker, a breaker lever pivotally connected to said closing lever and having a non-trip free operative connection to said breaker and to said piston, latching means engageable with said breaker lever for releasably holding the breaker closed, means for supplying compressed air to said cylinder to eiect closing operation of the breaker, a dump valve for dumping air from said cylinder to atmosphere to permit high speed opening of the breaker, a trip device operable to release said latching means to thereby trip the breaker, and means operated simultaneously with said trip device for causing opening of said dump valve.

17. In combination, a circuit breaker, a fluid motor including a cylinder and a piston operatively related to the breaker for closing the breaker, a source of fluid pressure and a control valve for supplying uid pressure to said cylinder to close the breaker, said breaker remaining operatively related to said piston and under the control thereof at all times, a latch for holding said breaker in closed position, a dump valve for exhausting fluid from said cylinder on the working side of the piston to permit high speed opening of the breaker notwithstanding the ow of fluid under pressure from said source to said cylinder, a trip device operable to release said latch to trip the breaker, means operable to simultaneously cause opening of the dump valve, and a manually operable closing lever having a mechanically-trip-free connection to the breaker, said latch when released tripping said breaker free of said closing lever.

18. Operating mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising a manually operable closing lever for closing the breaker, said lever being pivoted to a `xed support, a manually operable latch for holding the lever in closed position, a fluid motor for closing the breaker, a breaker lever pivotally connected to the closing lever and having a non-trip-free connection to the breaker, means operatively relating the breaker lever to the fluid motor in a non-mechanically trip free manner, a latching means engageable with said breaker lever for releasably holding the breaker closed, means for supplying iluid pressure to said iluid motor for closing the breaker, a dump valve for exhausting uid from said motor to permit high speed opening of the breaker notwithstanding the supply of iluid pressure to said motor, means operable to release said latching means to thereby trip the breaker, and for simultaneously causing opening of said dump valve.

JAMES M. CUMMING. 

